Purrrfect Science | Living Ink | Green Globetrot

Welcome to all of our many new readers this week!

I’m sure you’ll enjoy our first Clickable later in the email: Comedic animal pics guaranteed to generate laughs 🤣 

-Steve

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Purrrfect Science

Meow this is science! Cats are generally classified as purring (Felinae) or roaring (Pantherinae), and now we know what causes this difference.

• Roaring: likely due to incomplete bone in larynx

• Purring: connective tissue within vocal cords

• Similar to how vocal fry works in humans

Researchers confirmed purring comes exclusively from air flow without requiring muscle contractions. Meaning cats intentionally trigger purring before it becomes a byproduct of breathing. Though we still don’t know exactly how it controls humans.

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr 

Living Ink

If you thought printer ink was expensive, wait ‘til they they’re making skin. Scientists developed a multilayer bioprinted skin that heals wounds quicker and with less scarring than our natural outer layer.

• Made from 6 skin cell types + hydrogels

• 3 layers mimic natural skin

• Increases collagen production, reducing scarring

Bioprinted skin successfully formed blood vessels in mice and pig models. A major step towards less invasive alternatives to skin grafts. Also possibly the creepiest lab to walk through.

Skin deep

Green Globetrot

Zero-emissions globetrotting is closer than you think. Solar Airship One will circumnavigate the planet using only renewable energy.

• Powered by solar (day) and hydrogen (night)

• ~1 football field’s worth of solar panels on top

• Flight plan: ~25k miles in 20 days

The 495’ long airship will trace the equator from ~20k’ up in 2026. If successful, it could pave the way for zero-emission shipping that’s faster than boats with more cargo space than planes. Bonus points if they look like flying whales.

…it does kinda look like a whale

Unnatural Selection

Last week: “What goes better with peanut butter?”

I guess it’s peanut butter jelly time. PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME. PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME!

st3v on site

Solar Hair

Inspired by France’s Solar Airship One, st3v installed their left over solar panels for hair. He’s feeling energized, but now his language setting is stuck in French.

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